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Favor

n. kind, hopeful warm

What it means

Meaning 1

A helpful act offered to meet someone else's need.

Reach for it when asking for or appreciating a specific piece of assistance

Leah did her neighbor a favor by collecting the medicine before the pharmacy closed.

Meaning 2

Approval or preference that gives support to one option.

Reach for it when describing a positive judgment, advantage, or leaning

The revised plan found favor with residents near the park.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
everyday
warm
professional
formal
  • Favor (this word)

Meaning 1: A helpful act offered to meet someone else's need.

  • playful

    good turn

    Fits when you want a friendly phrase for one voluntary act

    Careful A formal letter of thanks needs a less casual expression.

  • everyday

    help

    Fits when practical assistance is the entire point

    Careful Help may be ongoing and need not be a personally granted favor.

  • warm

    kindness

    Fits when the generous spirit behind the act matters most

    Careful Kindness is a quality or act, while favor often names a specific request.

  • professional

    service

    Fits when a defined task is performed for someone

    Careful Service may be paid or obligatory, unlike a freely offered favor.

Meaning 2: Approval or preference that gives support to one option.

  • everyday

    support

    Fits when backing from people or institutions is important

    Careful Support can remain neutral in intensity and does not always show preference.

  • warm

    goodwill

    Fits when friendly feeling improves how an idea or person is received

    Careful Goodwill is broader and more durable than favor toward one proposal.

  • professional

    approval

    Fits when a person or body regards the proposal positively

    Careful Approval can be official; favor may be an informal preference.

  • professional

    preference

    Fits when one option is chosen over another

    Careful Preference need not include goodwill or active support.

Opposites 4

  • hindrance
  • disservice
  • disapproval
  • opposition

Common phrases 3

  • do a favor

    Could you do a favor and return the library key after lunch?

  • ask a favor

    She will ask a favor only after explaining the time involved.

  • in favor

    Seven members voted in favor of the safer crossing.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated